Team Member Personal Reflections Camela Bianco - Being involved in the project has enabled me to gain a different perspective in my role as a part of a school leadership team. It has enabled me to be exposed and challenged with the possibilities open to the 21st century learner.
I have learned that a shared understanding and a common belief in the possibilities and purpose of technologies can provide our students are to be paramount in its use in a school. I have learned that we need to support teachers in being able to provide these possibilities.
Kristy Holmes - I am a grade six teacher at Bethal Primary School. Being part of the PLP Netbook trial has enabled me to provide a fantastic learning environment for my students and myself as a professional to gain ongoing ICT skills that has enriched my teaching.
Our focus was using wikis this year. We started with an individual class wiki, then built on those skills and progressed through to an Integrated unit wiki based on The Earth, and finally across school collaboration with Broadmeadows Valley focusing on writing. It has facilitated more student lead learning and discussion through the use of the integrated wiki where students posted interesting websites and facts to share with their peers. It has enabled me as a graduate teacher to take on an IT leadership role within the school, this has enriched me with valuable skills which are regularly integrated into my teaching practice.
Josh Naish - I am a grade 5 teacher at Bethal Primary School. This trial has allowed me to grow significantly as a teacher. As a 2nd year graduate I have been involved in more of a leadership role within the school through running professional development relating to the use of wikis within a classroom/unit setting. Sometimes in the past I have found it hard to move away from teacher led learning and give the students more responsibility for their learning but the use of a wiki has allowed this to occur after careful planning and scaffolding. Finally this project has started a link with a neighbouring school which hopefully can lead to more online collaboration between students and staff in the future.
Lisia Halton - My personal highlights as a participant in the Netbook trail and as a member of the PLP community include: ·Having exposure and the opportunity to work with and learn from the experiences and knowledge of so many other professionals is a uniquely special highlight for me and for this I am most greatful. ·My professional growth in the effective use of web 2.0 tools in the teaching and learning curriculum for myself and the students. ·The pedogological discussion that my team had about teaching and learning - the collaboration that has occurred to create authentic opportunities for ourself and our students to work together. ·Breaking down of the fear about many of these tools and technologies and how they can be used well. ·The development of my leadership capacity to lead, model, implement and monitor improvement and change within my school community.
Wendy Cecchini - My personal highlights throughout the trial have included: ·The ability to extend my teaching and learning network to include a larger community, in this instance, Bethal P.S. ·having come back after 9 years of family leave, this project has given me a great insight into the new technologies available to teachers. ·the student led learning has been an eye opener for me, such a positive and empowering effect on students. Key roles and responsibilities for areas such as managing the wikispace; the demonstration of the use of tools, etc. have been embraced by the students. ·having access to other school's writing pieces has been of great benefit. Students can celebrate and share their writing with a wider audience and are more conscientious about the quality and presentation of their work.
WE ARE NOW KNOWN AS BBV - BETHAL AND BROADMEADOWS VALLEY (PRIMARY SCHOOLS)
http://plpnetbooktrial.ning.com/group/bbv
Team Member Personal Reflections
Camela Bianco - Being involved in the project has enabled me to gain a different perspective in my role as a part of a school leadership team. It has enabled me to be exposed and challenged with the possibilities open to the 21st century learner.
I have learned that a shared understanding and a common belief in the possibilities and purpose of technologies can provide our students are to be paramount in its use in a school. I have learned that we need to support teachers in being able to provide these possibilities.
Kristy Holmes - I am a grade six teacher at Bethal Primary School. Being part of the PLP Netbook trial has enabled me to provide a fantastic learning environment for my students and myself as a professional to gain ongoing ICT skills that has enriched my teaching.
Our focus was using wikis this year. We started with an individual class wiki, then built on those skills and progressed through to an Integrated unit wiki based on The Earth, and finally across school collaboration with Broadmeadows Valley focusing on writing. It has facilitated more student lead learning and discussion through the use of the integrated wiki where students posted interesting websites and facts to share with their peers. It has enabled me as a graduate teacher to take on an IT leadership role within the school, this has enriched me with valuable skills which are regularly integrated into my teaching practice.
Josh Naish - I am a grade 5 teacher at Bethal Primary School. This trial has allowed me to grow significantly as a teacher. As a 2nd year graduate I have been involved in more of a leadership role within the school through running professional development relating to the use of wikis within a classroom/unit setting. Sometimes in the past I have found it hard to move away from teacher led learning and give the students more responsibility for their learning but the use of a wiki has allowed this to occur after careful planning and scaffolding. Finally this project has started a link with a neighbouring school which hopefully can lead to more online collaboration between students and staff in the future.
Lisia Halton - My personal highlights as a participant in the Netbook trail and as a member of the PLP community include:
· Having exposure and the opportunity to work with and learn from the experiences and knowledge of so many other professionals is a uniquely special highlight for me and for this I am most greatful.
· My professional growth in the effective use of web 2.0 tools in the teaching and learning curriculum for myself and the students.
· The pedogological discussion that my team had about teaching and learning - the collaboration that has occurred to create authentic opportunities for ourself and our students to work together.
· Breaking down of the fear about many of these tools and technologies and how they can be used well.
· The development of my leadership capacity to lead, model, implement and monitor improvement and change within my school community.
Wendy Cecchini - My personal highlights throughout the trial have included:
· The ability to extend my teaching and learning network to include a larger community, in this instance, Bethal P.S.
· having come back after 9 years of family leave, this project has given me a great insight into the new technologies available to teachers.
· the student led learning has been an eye opener for me, such a positive and empowering effect on students. Key roles and responsibilities for areas such as managing the wikispace; the demonstration of the use of tools, etc. have been embraced by the students.
· having access to other school's writing pieces has been of great benefit. Students can celebrate and share their writing with a wider audience and are more conscientious about the quality and presentation of their work.